This paper addresses a question that is fundamental to the domain of family business research yet still inadequately addressed by the field’s predominant theories: Why are some family business systems able to create and sustain the simultaneous health of both the business and the family over generations, whereas many others experience an erosion in the well-being of one sphere relative to the other? Invoking analogical theorizing, we demonstrate the fruitfulness of applying key concepts from biological research on symbiotic relationships between organisms of different species. More specifically, we suggest that the area’s distinction between mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism provides a useful vocabulary for conceptualizing the heterogeneity evident amongst family business systems. By delineating factors that are likely to influence the nature and strength of a family business system’s symbiotic relationship, we hope that our conceptual framework helps guide future research on why, when, and how the interdependence between family and business can range—and sometimes shift—along a continuum from strong mutualism to strong parasitism.
To further our understanding of family influence in family businesses, this study introduces the Perceived Family Influence Scale (PFIS). Departing from existing owner-centric methodologies, the PFIS uses social constructivism theory to capture family influence from the perspective of non-family employees, a frequently neglected but integral stakeholder group within the family firm ecosystem. Following a rigorous multistep development process involving 600 non-family employees, we validate the PFIS and identify three core sub-dimensions of perceived family influence: culture, organizational decision-making, and image. We also demonstrate the practical applicability of the PFIS by examining the link between perceived family influence and non-family employee job satisfaction. Grounded in social constructivism, the PFIS is a reliable instrument that allows for the collection of more unbiased and holistic data on family influence, thereby refining our understanding of family firms and advancing the family business research field.
The concept of legacy exists at the core of family business research, yet as a construct, the nature of what legacy is and why and how legacy matters across generations has been poorly understood (Hammond, Pearson, & Holt, 2016). This lack of conceptual clarity has limited legacy research in the domain of family business. In this article, we provide a comprehensive definition of legacy that can be used to draw connections across existing legacy research and open new avenues of inquiry critical to understanding both family firms and legacy itself.